~ A California Lawyer Homeschool Blog

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About

I’m a licensed California Attorney/blogger/mom of four kids. You can follow me on Twitter @CALawMama for more musings. For more law related posts, see my other blog: https://calawmama.wordpress.com/ (a merging hopefully coming soon)

You can read somewhat more specific information regarding the way I came to homeschool here. I’m currently considering a Charlotte Mason education, but have come across many interesting concepts offered through Classical Education, Unschooling, Eclectic, and Unit Studies, so we’ll just have to wait and see how it pans out. I’m certain that my childrens’ learning styles will have a major impact in terms of what actually works.

I started this blog because I thought it might be helpful to others considering homeschooling, or those who already homeschool, but are looking for more ideas. I have struggled to find blogs that offer current and regular posts relevant to my situation.

I’m heavy into field trips, and love finding fun activities that are no to little cost. I hope to inspire while offering a truthful depiction of what homeschooling (for our family) is really like. Feel free to write me a comment, recommend a blog, book, or website. I am an information addict! (I am also a bibliophile, but that’s a separate issue.)

Websites I Love

The Pioneer Woman’s Homeschooling Blog— Not only does she have her own cooking show replete with recipes that will make you instantly wish you could download them into your mouth, but she has a separate homeschool blog. I really like reading her blogger’s posts and particularly enjoy the posts that ask the readers for responses to various problems and questions.

Pinterest— If you’re not on there yet, sign up! There isn’t a time I go on there that I don’t find something I can use–from fishing for magnet numbers to science experiments to figuring out how to organize your Homeschool binder, there is a plethora of information on there.

Amazon– I like to download ebooks to my kindle app through whispernet. This means I have instant access to titles without having to wait for them to arrive in the mail. I also like being able to read the reviews and comments for books, and sometimes download a sample, before committing to buying. I also really really like the wishlists–you can create them with different names and with different degrees of searchability. I found HUNDREDS of unit studies, which are apparently free if you have Amazon prime? awe.some! I’ve recently signed up to be an affiliate, so if you see Amazon links, you’ll know why. I intend to only link to things that I think are actually pretty cool, maybe you will too?

Books I recommend

So You’re Thinking About Homeschooling (Lisa Whelchel) — One of my favorites, this book offers a peek into the lives of several different families, and how they homeschool. From homeschooling in an office or RV, classical, Charlotte Mason, unschooling a child with ADHD, I feel there’s something for everyone in this book. It’s also quite encouraging if you are struggling to find your fit in the homeschooling world.

100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum (Cathy Duffy)– This is a great starting place for figuring out what your homeschooling goals are, and what your educational philosophy might be. The first few chapters introduce differing types of homeschool methodologies, then attempt to help you decide what your goals are for your children. What is the most important thing you want them to learn? How do you want them to experience it? What is your schedule like, etc.? At the end of the book, Cathy presents her top picks based on these differing priorities and learning/teaching styles.

(Updated 1/8/13)Learning All the Time by John Holt– highly highly highly recommend this book. I got plenty of the “why should I do this”,”can I do this”,”what laws are related to this” etc. ad naseum. This book talks about the how, and it really has nothing to do wig curriculum. He discusses things about learning that actually make sense in the abstract, pedagogy and dogma aside. There are separate discussions on reading, writing, and Math, which are (obviously) the foundation for everything else. How Children Learn was somewhat difficult for me to get through, so I admittedly stalled out. This book, on the other hand, for some unknown reason, fascinates me, and brings all those exciting reasons I even contemplated homeschooling, real. How’s that for a dangling modifier? 😉

Update 1/26/15 I have recently begun to fully embrace Thomas Jefferson Education, so expect to see more about that 🙂

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2 thoughts on “About”

It really is a neat book, and a quick read as well. I think its best attribute is that ability to appeal to a wide variety of approaches and family units, making almost anyone feel like they could fit in to the community 🙂